CITY OF PICKERINGTON

TREE COMMISSION

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2009

REGULAR MEETING

6:30 P.M.

 

 

  1. ROLL CALL.  Mr. Malone called the meeting to order at 6:35 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mr. Goodrich, Ms. Shelts, and Mr. Malone were present.  Mr. McKinley, Mrs. Goodrich, Edward Drobina and Angie Perrine were also present.  Mr. Drobina stated that Mr. McKinley’s name was not called because his term expired and he has been reappointed with the effective date of September 17, 2009.

 

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of June 22, 2009, Regular Meeting.  Ms. Shelts moved to approve; Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion.  Mr. Malone, Mr. Goodrich and Ms. Shelts  voted “Aye”.  Motion carried, 3-0.

 

  1. COMMUNITY COMMENTS.  No comments. 

 

  1. REPORTS.   
    1. Street Tree Report

Mr. Goodrich stated that it looked like the City Arborist, Gregg Ellis has been very busy.  Mr. Malone questioned about the trees that had been removed on Route 256 in front of the new Walgreens store entrance.  Mr. Drobina stated that Gregg didn’t remove those trees and this is why they are not mentioned on the report, but should be added.  Mr. Malone asked if the trees would be replaced.  Mr. Drobina replied they are supposed to be replaced.  Mr. Goodrich commented on how nice the trees look on Route 256 since they trimmed them.  Mr. Malone asked if the City contracted this work out.  Mr. Drobina stated yes, the City had been receiving complaints in regards to the sidewalks.  Mr. Malone asked if the city had plans of doing other areas.  Mr. Drobina commented Route 256 for now possibly more in the future.  The City Arborist is almost done in Melrose area.  The City had also been receiving complaints in that subdivision.    Mr. Ellis has also been working in Stonebridge.  Mr. Malone replied he had noticed a lot had been done in this subdivision.

 

 

 

       5.    SCHEDULED MATTERS.

                  a.   Tree Preservation Update. 

No Comments.   

 

 

    1. Emerald Ash Borer.

Mr. Malone recalled from last minutes about the Arby’s location.  Mr. Drobina stated that the City mailed out letters to Arby’s along with property owners near Arby’s letting them know about the Emerald Ash Borer and some websites they could go to and learn more about them.  Mr. Malone asked if the Arborist has been checking to see if Emerald Ash Borer has spread in more areas in the City.  Mr. Drobina replied he would have to check with Mr. Ellis about this.  Mr. Malone commented he would think that Route 204 would be the next place to start checking into some of the developments in that area.  Mr. Malone questioned if we have received any calls from the letters that was mailed out.  Mr. Drobina replied, none.  Mr. Malone asked how long ago where the letters sent out.  Mr. Drobina commented, over a month ago.   

 

    1.   Arboretum.

Mr. Goodrich asked how the new tree that was planted is doing.  Mr. Drobina stated that Mr. Ellis has been watering the tree regularly.  He has been doing this throughout the city.  Mr. Malone commented that the new dedication plaque was placed and wanted to thank Mr. Ellis for completing the job.  

                                                                    

    1.  City Beautification Campaign.

No comments.

 

                  e.     Discuss a joint work session with the Parks & Recreation Board. 

Mr. Malone asked when this work session would take place.  Mr. McKinley replied in September or October.  Mr. McKinley stated that there was some talk among city council members about possibly merging the Parks & Recreation Board and the Tree Commission together.  This is why we wanted to schedule a work session to discuss this issue, to see if we have enough common interest; is this feasible; where do we meet up on certain objectives and where we are different; and what kinds of things would we have to look at with the charter.  Mr. Goodrich stated he is concerned with the financing.  The Parks & Recreation Board doesn’t have any budget, and what we have is from the builders for trees.  The money would have to stay separate.  Mr. McKinley agreed the Parks & Recreation Board is more of an advisory board.  Mr. McKinley asked if anyone had an idea on when they could meet for this work session.  After some discussions the members agreed in September’s meeting they would come up with an agenda.   This agenda they would use to take to a work session meeting with the Parks & Recreation Board on October 28, 2009 possibly before the board’s regular scheduled meeting.             

                              

  1. COMMUNICATION.    Mr. Goodrich asked Mr. Drobina about making some changes to the tree database.  Mr. Drobina replied he would get with Eric Vannatta the city’s computer person to have him make a CD for him to use to update the database.

 

 

7.   OTHER BUSINESS.  Mr. McKinley questioned if they should appoint a new chairperson                                                                

or a new vice chairperson.  Mr. Malone asked who else has an appointment that is getting ready to expire.  Mr. Drobina stated that Ms. Shelts and Mr. Malone both expire in December.  Are you both planning on staying on the commission, asked Mr. Drobina?  If so, you will need to see Lynda Yartin, Municipal Clerk and complete another application so this can go to the Rules Committee in October.  Both Ms. Shelts and Mr. Malone replied they are interested on being on the Tree Commission again.  Mr. Drobina stated that the new Tree Commission member’s name is Brian Neill and that he would be attending starting next month.  Mr. Malone stated that it would be better to wait to reorganize after the new committee member is present for the meetings.    

 

Mr. McKinley stated that the City’s website needed updated regarding the Tree Commission members.  Mr. Drobina replied this would be taken care of. 

 

Mr. Malone commented that he was attending the Urban Forestry Conference and wondered if anyone else had signed up to attend.  Ms. Shelts replied that she was planning on attending.  Mr. Drobina stated that the City had signed up Ms. Shelts and Mr. Malone to attend the conference.    

                                                                                                                                                                                         

      8.   ADJOURNMENT. 

            Their being nothing further, Mr. Malone moved to adjourn, Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion.   Ms. Shelts, Mr. Goodrich, Mr. Malone voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 3-0.  The Tree Commission adjourned at 6:55 P.M. on August 24, 2009.

           

 

 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

________________________________

Angie Perrine, Administrative Assistant

 

 

________________________________

Edward Drobina, Service Manager